Podcast

Welcome to Kinni Cast, a podcast from the City of River Falls featuring real people with a real purpose. In each episode, you’ll hear from City employees about the work being done to make River Falls a better place. Learn about what projects they’re working on and what drives them to make a positive impact on the River Falls community. 

So if you’re curious about what’s next for River Falls and want a peek behind the scenes of City Hall, you’re in the right place. Subscribe to the Kinni Cast wherever you get your podcasts — including Apple Podcasts and Spotify — and join us for conversations that connect all of us in the River Falls community. New episodes will be released every other Wednesday.

July 30, 2025 -- Scot Simpson, City Administrator

People get into local government for various reasons. For Scot Simpson, government was not his initial career path. But after shifting course on his original plan, he found himself gravitating toward city government – and he never looked back.

He’s spent his entire career in that field, including the past 16 years as the City Administrator for the City of River Falls. In that role, Scot has led the organization and the city through many changes, projects, and growth. He’s also the first guest on the brand-new Kinni Cast, a podcast from the City of River Falls that tells the stories of our employees and the work being done to make River Falls a better place.

In this episode, you’ll hear why Scot was drawn to local government, why he believes organizational culture is so important, and what he sees as the future of River Falls in the next decade and beyond.

August 13, 2025 -- Dan Toland, Mayor

Since Abraham D. Andrews became River Falls’ first mayor in 1885, 34 different people have served as mayor in the City's history. None has served longer than the current mayor, Dan Toland. After assuming the role in April of 2012, Mayor Toland has now served the city for 13 years — surpassing the run of Maynard E. Hoffman in the 1950s and 1960s.

Despite growing up in River Falls, Mayor Toland never dreamed of becoming mayor of his hometown. It wasn't until someone suggested his wife run for mayor that he ever considered the possibility. On this episode of the Kinni Cast, Mayor Toland reminisces about his first election, talks about how he balances a full-time job with his duties as mayor, and of course sneaks in some opinions about his beloved Green Bay Packers.

August 27, 2025 -- Kevin Westhuis, Utility Director

In November of 1900, the City of River Falls experienced electricity for the first time as the downtown lights along Main Street were illuminated. This year marks the 125th anniversary of public power in River Falls, which is one of several essential services that River Falls Municipal Utilities provides to residents.

Kevin Westhuis is the Utility Directory for the City, and he joins this episode of the Kinni Cast to talk about the benefits -- and value -- of public power. He also discusses the challenging job of RFMU's lineworkers, talks about the nearly completed biosolids dryer building, and also shares about his passion for broadcasting high school sports right here in River Falls.

September 10, 2025 -- Tanya Misselt, Library Director

The River Falls Public Library opened at its current location in 1997. And while the library still does so many great things for the local community, it’s in need of some upgrades. Last year, the library received a $4 million grant for renovations, and the much-anticipated construction is underway. 

Library Director Tanya Misselt joins this episode of the Kinni Cast to share more about the work being done to help set up the River Falls Public Library for the future. Tanya also discusses her early career as a police officer and shares why she thinks public libraries are so important for a community like River Falls.

September 24, 2025 -- Justin Wilson, Fire Chief

Justin Wilson went to college with the goal of becoming a firefighter. But plans changed, and he eventually got a job in the corporate world. Several years after he moved to River Falls, he decided to join the River Falls Fire Department as a volunteer firefighter. Twelve years later, Justin is now leading the department as its new fire chief. Among the biggest challenges he faces early on is helping lead the department through a major renovation of the fire station. 

Chief Wilson joins the Kinni Cast to talk more about what those renovations will entail, why the volunteer firefighter model works so well in River Falls, and dives into the camaraderie and the bond that those in the department have built over the years. All of that and more on an all new Kinni Cast.

October 8, 2025 -- Amy Peterson, Community Development Director

The Kinnickinnic River is an important part of River Falls’ history, its present, and its future. Once the Kinni Corridor plan is complete and both dams are removed to restore the river to its natural state, some aspects of the river will look quite different than they do today. 

To dive into that topic, we’re joined on this episode of the Kinni Cast by Amy Peterson, the Community Development Director with the City. Amy has been very involved with the Kinni Corridor plan during her tenure and provides some insight on what residents can expect from the project when it’s completed -- and what it will mean for River Falls’ future.

October 22, 2025 -- Gordon Young, Police Chief

Since he was a kid, Gordon Young knew he wanted to be in law enforcement. He saw his dad and grandfather in the profession and seemed destined to follow in their footsteps. After getting his start in his home state of Michigan, he eventually found his way to River Falls in 2015 as the City’s new Police Chief. 

On this episode of the Kinni Cast, Chief Young talks about his introduction to River Falls a decade ago, shares how the new police station has been a major upgrade for the department, discusses why he’s passionate about mental health, and much more. 

Growth in a city like River Falls doesn’t happen overnight. It takes a balance of planning, partnerships, and community values. Tying all of those together is part of Emily Shively’s role as the Assistant Director of Community Development for the City of River Falls. 

On this episode of the Kinni Cast, Emily joins to share more about how development works in the city, examines the current housing market in River Falls, and discusses how the City plans for growth while preserving what makes the community special.

November 19, 2025 -- Diane Odeen, Alderperson at Large

Before she ran for City Council in River Falls, Diane Odeen actually had aspirations of holding office at the state level of government in Wisconsin. While that didn’t ultimately work out, that experience eventually helped her land a spot on the City Council – a role she’s held for more than a decade. 

On this episode of the Kinni Cast, Diane takes us behind the scenes of what it’s like to be a City Council member in River Falls, discusses some of the projects she and other council members have helped bring to life over the years, and shares how River Falls residents can get involved in local government and connect with their City Council representatives.

December 3, 2025 -- Josh Solinger, Finance Director

Numbers are Josh Solinger’s thing – which is perfect since he serves as the finance director for the City of River Falls. On this episode of the Kinni Cast, Josh joins to share his passion for helping residents understand how their tax dollars support the services and projects shaping our community. He discusses the city’s annual budget, how the City funds major projects like the upcoming fire station renovation, and gives his outlook on the long-term financial health of River Falls. 

So get your calculators out as you tune into this brand-new Kinni Cast episode with finance director Josh Solinger.

December 17, 2025 -- Brooks Ostendorf, Conservation and Parks Manager

In River Falls, the parks and natural resources are something residents routinely say is an important part of the community. Helping maintain those aspects of the City is the job of Brooks Ostendorf, who joined the City staff earlier this year as the manager of the newly-created Conservation and Parks Department.  

On this episode of the Kinni Cast, Brooks talks about how his background in landscape architecture translates to the work he does for the City, shares more about the City’s response to Emerald Ash Borer, discusses what he thinks makes our park system so unique, and much more. Tune in now to hear a conversation with Conservation and Parks Manager Brooks Ostendorf on the Kinni Cast.

January 7, 2026 -- Erica Ellefson, Public Works Manager

When it snows, we often take for granted that the snow gets cleared from our city streets. But that job gets done thanks to the public works crew at the City of River Falls. Plowing the snow is one of just many things the public works team does. They stay busy year-round with tree removal, street sign maintenance, mowing the grass at city parks, and much more. 

To learn more about the Public Works team, Erica Ellefson joins this episode of the Kinni Cast. As the public works manager, Erica oversees the operations of the public works crew and helps ensure that the city’s streets, parks, and other resources are well-maintained for the residents of River Falls. Settle into the first episode of the Kinni Cast in 2026 as we dive into all things public works.

January 21, 2026 -- Matt Walker, UWRF Football Coach

Matt Walker didn’t grow up in River Falls – he’s an Indiana native – but after living here for 15 years, River Falls is now home for Matt and his family. Recently, Matt helped put River Falls on the national stage as the head coach of the UW-River Falls Falcons football team, which won its first-ever Division III national championship in early January. Being in the spotlight gave Matt the opportunity to showcase River Falls and the community that he’s a big part of. 

On this special partner spotlight episode of the Kinni Cast, Matt shares more about his love of River Falls, talks about how the relationship between the university and the community has grown since he first arrived, and of course he recaps the excitement of his team’s national championship.